"The Jack-sized hole in our hearts will never repair."
Joanne’s son Jack, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was a strong and healthy 19-year-old until he contracted meningitis in January this year. The family turned off his life support just a few days later. Joanne tells their story here.
“Jack went to work at 5.50pm. He rang his sister at 6.40pm to say he felt dizzy and could she pick him up. He was home 10 minutes later and I tucked him up in bed with a cup of tea as he said he was freezing.
“At 8pm he had vomited and his sister was saying ‘get up, mam’s coming up’. Myself and Jack’s dad and sisters went upstairs to see what was wrong.
“Jack started convulsing so we rang 999. He was admitted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary at 9pm.
Not responding to treatment
“At 10pm the consultant suggested I get my husband there straight away. By 11pm Jack was in the Intensive Care Unit. The consultant then told us Jack wasn't responding to treatment. Jack was on monitors - there were machines and tubes everywhere. That was Thursday 30th January 2025.
“We couldn't get our heads around what was going on. Friday was a complete blur. So much information to take in. But we sat holding Jack’s hands, kissing him and talking to him like everything was okay.
“On Saturday 1st February 2025, we were asked to go and sit in whilst doctors did their final checks on our beautiful boy. Jack was pronounced dead at 2.05pm whilst his sisters and friends sat in the room across the hall.
Wanted to say goodbye
“Family and Jack’s closest friends wanted to say goodbye and so on Sunday 2nd February we as a family decided to turn Jack's life support off. That day I will never forget.
“The next three weeks were filled with visitors and Jack’s friends calling in. His best friend arrived from Australia. How we got through it I will never know.
“Jack was a strong, healthy young man who was just at the beginning of his life. He played rugby three times a week, went to the gym four times a week. How did this happen? He had all his vaccines.
“Jack’s funeral was a testament to the person he was. Over 200 people attended.
Life is completely different
“How we live now is completely different. We miss our son and brother immensely and the Jack-sized hole in our hearts will never repair. Our whole world has been totally devastated and we're broken by this awful disease.
“All Jack’s vaccinations were up to date and I don't understand why all bacterial meningitis isn't covered by vaccines.
“I'm terrified when my girls have a headache, sniffles, a cough or a temperature but Meningitis Now has helped and supported me through its Helpline and the Rebuilding Futures Fund.
“Jack’s friends are doing the Great North Run in September in his memory and all donations are going to more meningitis research.”
